Ammonium Sulfate: International Market Trend of Ammonium Sulfate in the First Week of July 2018
Source: Zhongyu Information Date: 2018-7-6 17:45:16
6.28-7.5 International Market Trends (from foreign sources)
Global prices remained stable during the week’s quieter trading. Turkish buyers are reluctant to pay higher prices, while demand in Brazil has not yet reached its peak. Due to technical problems in a key factory, China’s supply has tightened. If South Korea agrees to sign a fertilizer aid program with North Korea, South Korea’s supply may be limited.
Northwestern Europe: Like urea and ammonium nitrate, the ammonium sulfate market in northwestern Europe remains strong. Some European producers have sold out some grades of ammonium sulphate in July and August, but there are still sales in September. The standard grade ammonium sulfate FOB price is US$125-135/ton, and the granular northwest FOB price is US$157-168/ton. According to reports, the standard ammonium sulfate price offered by Eurochem to Benelux wholesalers is 115-120 Euro/ton FOB Antwerp (134-140 USD/ton FOB), delivered in July/August. The price of OCI granular ammonium sulphate is 145-150 euros / ton FOB Northwest Europe (168-175 US dollars / ton FOB), which is being discussed with buyers in the region. The standard grade ammonium sulphate supplied to the Benelux wholesaler is €120/tonne CIF domestic.
Russia: Manufacturers offer $120-$125/tonne FOB Black Sea, as buyers are not willing to pay more, so current sales are still limited. Traders are currently looking for goods destined for the Turkish and Mediterranean markets, but they are not available until mid-August. Kuibyshevazot was sold out in July and there was no supply in August. The last transaction three weeks ago was shipped to Turkey at a price of $113-117/ton FOB Black Sea. Due to the overhaul of the caprolactam plant in September, supply will be limited in August and September. This may reduce the supply of approximately 7,000-1.2 million tons, and Kuibyshevazot needs to establish inventory in August. Schekinoazot had no exports in July. This month, 6,500 tons of extruded granular ammonium sulfate were sold to domestic buyers, and 6,500 tons of standard ammonium sulfate will be sold from regional warehouses. In July, NLMK sold 3,700 tons of steel grade ammonium sulphate to Granmax for $96/ton cpt Draugyste. Altai-Koks sold to the domestic market in July, including 6,500 tons to Phosagro.
Turkey: Buyers and sellers have inconsistent prices in the Turkish market, so there are no new sales reports this week. This week, a trader provided 45,000 tons of Chinese caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate to Turkish buyers at a price of $143/ton. Buyers are looking for cfr $140/ton of supply, but sellers are not willing to cut prices. From September 1 to 10, 9000-10,000 tons of ammonium sulphate was delivered from Jorf Lasfar/Morocco from Mersin/Turkey.
China: Due to environmental inspections and limited start-up of summer coke enterprises, the supply of ammonium sulfate in China is still relatively tight in July, especially coking grade ammonium sulfate. Traders expect supply to increase in August. Jiangsu Haili 300,000 tons of equipment is still parked, has been parked for one month, the current driving time is not fixed, Shandong Haili’s supply in July has been sold out. This week, China’s price is 115-118 US dollars / ton FOB China, depending on the quantity, market and shipping cycle. In the domestic market, the ex-factory price of coking grade ammonium sulfate is 610 yuan/ton ($92/ton), and the ex-factory price of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate is 650 yuan/ton ($98/ton).
Japan: Japan’s ammonium sulphate exports fell by 4% from January to May 20 to 179,000 tons, down from 187,000 tons in January-May 2017. Exports to Malaysia almost doubled to 67,000 tons, up sharply from 36,000 tons in the same period last year. In contrast, exports to Vietnam fell by 35% to 60,000 tons, while the Philippines exported 52,000 tons, down 13%.
Philippines: Atlas is said to be looking for 8,000 tons of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate, which is loaded in July. Swire is also looking for 12,000 tons of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate, which is loaded in July. According to reports, La Filipina and Universal Harvest have purchased 6,000 tons of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate at the end of June. The price is about US$115/ton FOB China, which was delivered to Poro Point in mid-July. The last sale price was $136/ton cfr Poro Point. Traders hope that the price will be close to $140/ton cfr at the next shipment.
South Korea: Capro Corp is awaiting further notice from the government to deliver fertilizer aid to North Korea. If it is shipped to North Korea, it will reduce supply to other markets. At present, caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate is not available from sources.
Sri Lanka: Trammo is said to have sold 7,500 tons of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulphate to A Baur and Aries sold 7,000 tons to CIC for $148-149/tonne CFR. Shipping costs from China are estimated at $25/ton. Hayleys is reportedly seeking 3000-3500 tons of ammonium sulphate.
Thailand: It is reported that Mahawong has issued a 12,000-ton inquiry sheet this week. Offer outside China is $140/ton cfr, July shipping schedule.
